Canada has announced an increase in the weekly off-campus work limit for international students, raising the cap from 20 to 24 hours starting November 8, 2024. This adjustment is set to benefit students already residing in Canada by allowing them to work more hours while maintaining their studies.
Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, elaborated on the change, stating, “The new cap strikes a balance between allowing students to gain work experience and ensuring they can concentrate on their studies.”
Eligibility for Off-Campus Work
Not all international students are eligible to work off-campus. To qualify without the need for a separate work permit, students must fulfill specific conditions:
Full-time enrollment at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI): This includes participation in post-secondary academic, vocational, or professional programs.
Study program requirements: Students must be enrolled in programs that lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate lasting at least six months. In Quebec, this includes vocational training at the secondary level.
Valid study permit: A study permit must explicitly allow off-campus work.
Social Insurance Number (SIN): Students are required to obtain a SIN before beginning employment.
Students who do not meet these criteria are prohibited from working off-campus.
Understanding Full-Time Work Hours
Canada’s immigration website explains that while there is no fixed weekly hour limit defining “full-time” work, students are allowed to work up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions without scheduled breaks. Exceeding this limit constitutes a violation of their study permit’s terms, potentially jeopardizing their ability to obtain future study or work permits.
Who Cannot Work Off-Campus?
Certain categories of students are ineligible for off-campus work unless they acquire a separate work permit:
Students whose study permits explicitly state they are not allowed to work off-campus.
Students enrolled in English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL) programs.
Those pursuing only general interest courses.
Individuals taking preparatory courses required for admission to a full-time program.
Students who no longer meet eligibility requirements due to changes in their study circumstances.
If a student’s program changes, they may apply to amend the conditions of their study permit, provided their new program allows off-campus work.
Post-Pandemic Adjustments
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, international students were permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during academic sessions. A temporary policy during the pandemic allowed them to exceed this limit, but that provision ended on April 30, 2024.
Canada’s Recent Immigration Policy Changes
The updated work cap is one of several changes introduced in Canada’s immigration landscape. Adjustments to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program and the discontinuation of the Student Direct Stream (SDS) scheme reflect the country’s efforts to regulate its growing foreign student population while aligning immigration policies with labor market demands.
Financial Pressures Amid Inflation
In addition to navigating changes in work hours, international students, particularly those from India, face challenges stemming from rising inflation. As of October 2024, Canada’s inflation rate was reported at 2%, a significant decline from the peak of 8.1% in June 2022. Despite the overall decrease, living expenses in key areas such as housing and food remain high.
Food prices: October 2024 saw a 2.8% year-on-year increase in food prices, with fresh vegetables alone rising by 2.2%. These cost hikes are straining the budgets of students managing limited finances.
Housing costs: Rent and shelter expenses grew by 4.9% year-on-year in July 2024, particularly impacting students in cities like Toronto and Vancouver, where rental rates are among the highest in the country.
Fuel and energy prices: Volatile energy costs have added to the financial uncertainty for many students.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government is facing public criticism over the rising cost of living, which affects both Canadian citizens and international students. In response to the housing affordability crisis, the government has implemented a cap on international student visas, with fewer than 300,000 permits expected to be issued this year compared to approximately 437,000 in 2023.
Balancing Costs with Part-Time Work
The opportunity to work part-time has become increasingly crucial for international students trying to manage elevated living costs. Minimum wage rates, which vary by province, provide some financial relief. As of 2024, minimum hourly wages in key provinces and territories are:
Ontario: CAD 17.20
Alberta: CAD 15.00
British Columbia: CAD 17.40
Manitoba: CAD 15.80
Nunavut: CAD 19.00, the highest in the country as of January 1, 2024
With the increased work limit, students can better navigate the financial challenges posed by high living expenses and inflation. While this adjustment aims to improve students’ financial stability, it also emphasizes the importance of maintaining academic commitments alongside employment.
